Dennis Tedlock’s translation and exegesis of the Rabinal Achi text (RA) is a valuable contribution to Mayan studies, as well as to the anthropology of cultural discourse and artistic expression. As with his prior translation of the Popol Wuj, Tedlock once again demonstrates his ability to translate classical K’iche texts into beautiful poetry and prose. I was particularly pleased to find that besides Tedlock’s devoted interest in the literary and poetic features of the RA, he did not neglect the historical and even political dimensions of this important Mayan drama. Also, like all good historiographers, Tedlock defines the type of Mayan document that the RA represents, compares and contrasts it with other K’iche documents, explains its scholarly and humanistic significance relative to other post-Hispanic Mayan dramas, ties it to archaeological remains found in the Rabinal area, and most importantly provides extensive exegeses on the language and meaning of the text....

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